frequent question by pupils

[carlebo]

I´d like to know how bad it sounds
to natives when we make these mistakes.
1) Instead of congratulations on "congratulations for"
2) When ordering tea can I say two teas please?

[SUDHKAMP]

I´d like to know how bad it sounds
to natives when we make these mistakes.
1) Instead of congratulations on "congratulations for"
2) When ordering tea can I say two teas please?

(I am not a teacher)
Here by term "natives", you mean to say those who are more proficient in speaking English language, right.
Now, the usage of terms you have mentioned:-

1) it depends whether you just say "congratulations' or say "congratulations for winning" in the manner you are carrying out the conversation

2) Since tea is always served in cups or other standard measures, you always order for "two cups of tea". two teas please is colloquial language where cup is understood, but not a proper Engllish sentence.

[IvanV]

1) Instead of congratulations on "congratulations for"

''Congratulations on'' serves almost every purpose, but ''congratulations for'' can be easily heard.

2) When ordering tea can I say two teas please?

It's not good English, but even that can be heard nowadays.

[riverkid]

I´d like to know how bad it sounds
to natives when we make these mistakes.
1) Instead of congratulations on "congratulations for"

The use of 'for' doesn't sound very natural to me but it's obviously quite commonly used.

Results 1 - 10 of about 1,270,000 English pages for "congratulations for".

Results 1 - 10 of about 6,360,000 English pages for "congratulations on".


2) When ordering tea can I say two teas please?

Sure you can, Carlebo. We often drop the counter in casual speech.

Two whiskies/beers/cokes/lemonades/ice creams/coffees/teas/...

[IvanV]

Sure you can, Carlebo. We often drop the counter in casual speech.

Two whiskies/beers/cokes/lemonades/ice creams/coffees/teas/...

I couldn't agree more! But, somehow, ''two teas'' sounds incredibly more odd than ''whiskeys'' or ''coffees''. Is it just me, or someone else has the same ''issue''?

[David L.]

But, somehow, ''two teas'' sounds incredibly more odd than ''whiskeys'' or ''coffees''.

Ah, the days of the Tea Room, of Lyon's Corner Cafes. You'll find reference to people going in and ordering 'Two teas, please" in Agatha Christie (A Murder is Announced). What was served was NOT a tea bag in a polystyrene cup and a paper sachet of sugar, but tea in teapots, drunk from china cups with saucers, on a fresh linen table cloth,with a tower platter of freshly baked cakes to choose from, actually served to your table by a girl in uniform.

Nowadays...well, you can still go to the Savoy, or Ritz Hotel, and order "Two teas, please" - but nostalgia+ quality costs!

[Tdol]

It costs, but I went to tea at the Ritz a couple of years ago and it was wonderful.

[carlebo]

thanks for your answer it´s been of great help